Feedback invited on climate change document

Islanders are invited to comment online on the next phase of the province’s strategy to address the effects of climate change.

Created by the University of Prince Edward Island’s (UPEI) Climate Lab, “Prince Edward Island Climate Change Adaptation: Public Input Document” is now available for public comment at Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Public Consultation until June 30; in-person consultations will be scheduled for the fall. Government’s Climate Change Secretariat is leading the development of a climate change action plan that will consider the final adaptation recommendations.

“As Islanders, it is imperative we know how our province is being impacted by climate change to determine how we can best adapt to these effects,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said. “The Climate Change Secretariat in March began reviewing the recommendations from Dunsky Consulting relating to climate change mitigation, and we are now working on the next piece of the puzzle which is the adaptation piece.”

The public input document provides information about how climate change will affect the Island and identifies some of the opportunities and challenges that climate change may present to various sectors. Islanders are asked to consider the following questions:

• How important is climate change adaptation?

• What roles should businesses, property owners, the public, and the different levels of government play in climate change adaptation?

• How do you recommend each of the sectors adapt to climate change?

• How should climate change adaptation work be prioritized?

UPEI’s Climate Lab will receive all public input and develop a draft adaptation recommendations report. The draft report will be released in the fall, and the public will be invited to provide feedback at a series of public engagement sessions.

Following the public feedback period, the Climate Change Secretariat will receive UPEI’s final adaptation recommendations report.

“Climate change impacts will be increasingly felt across Prince Edward Island, and preparing for these impacts is vital in minimizing the risks posed to the Island economy and ecology,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of UPEI’s Climate Lab. “I am happy that the provincial government is being proactive in their approach to climate change adaptation. The University of Prince Edward Island’s Climate Lab looks forward to using the public’s input to inform the development of relevant, practical, and innovative climate change adaptation recommendations for the province.”